Letter: Some clarity on studies of masks

In a recent right-wing rant, Michael Barone stated that a recent Cochrane Library review concluded that masks "made no difference" and quoted the lead author as stating "there is just no evidence they make any difference - full stop." Let me provide some clarification.

First, the lack of evidence does not mean there is a lack of efficacy. Only two of the studies looked at in this review were studies of COVID, and those studies looked at people who were encouraged to wear masks. It did not measure actual mask use. Second, this study looked at surgical masks. Surgical masks are intended to prevent contamination of the surgical field when worn in an operating room and not to reduce the spread of infections. Masks like N95 and KN95, which are actually called respirators and are now widely available, do reduce transmission of infectious diseases when worn properly.

That has been clearly demonstrated with tuberculosis, and if a properly controlled study could be performed, we would likely find the same results with COVID-19.

Until there is controlled trial evidence that properly worn KN95/N95 masks do not work, I will continue to wear one in crowded public places and always when on an airplane.

The interpretation of a scientific study by a woefully biased "journalist" is not going to sway my decisions about my health. After all, isn't this the land of the free?

Ronald Hirsch

Elgin